Hoops Recruitin' Is Looking To Go Big
Tomorrow is the final day of the early signing period. Despite several priority prospects committing to other programs in recent weeks, Michigan has done a great job of moving on and ramping up pursuit of available instant-impact types. However, the center of attention remains Hunter Dickinson and all eyes are locked on a potential decision this week. We dive into that, the Isaiah Todd situation and reset the guard board below.
Down To The Wire
Michigan is picking up a ton of buzz for top-40 center Hunter Dickinson. The Wolverines have received the last 3 crystal balls on 247, the most recent coming from 247 director of scouting Jerry Meyer. Rivals’s equivalent, Eric Bossi, also put in a future forecast for Michigan. This has the feel of nice things, perhaps.
The problem: while most projections are now in favor of Michigan, Dickinson himself has yet to set an announcement date and doesn’t speak to the media much. Predictions are coming in for Michigan but when analysts explain themselves they aren't proclaiming Dickinson a lock.
I was first to report that Dickinson may be down to an informal top 2 of Michigan and Florida State. 247 repeated those sentiments a few days later before yesterday’s nugget that suggests Notre Dame is on par with Michigan and Florida State:
“We are both getting feedback that it remains very much up in the air, and that Hunter is genuinely torn right now. At this point I am putting Notre Dame on the same line as Michigan and Florida State. It just seems like the kid is totally torn and really doesn't know what to do.”
A development that certainly won’t hurt the Wolverines is locking up the commitment of Ziyah Holman. The blue-chip track star is the girlfriend of Hunter Dickinson. For what its worth, I’m told the girlfriend may not be a huge factor here, but it gives him one more thing to think about in favor of Michigan.
It seems nobody has a solid handle on the situation right now, but Hunter has been expected to make an early-period decision for quite some time. If Dickinson does make an announcement within the next 24 hours, Michigan is the most likely landing spot. But not a guaranteed one.
[Hit THE JUMP for potential new sharpshooters.]
No Early Signing for Todd
Isaiah Todd's mother told ESPN they're planning to wait until the spring to sign with Michigan. "Still committed!"
— Jeff Borzello (@jeffborzello) November 17, 2019
Todd’s mother, affectionately known as Mrs. V, is certainly an influential figure in her son’s recruitment, and rightfully so. She has always been true to her word as it relates to my personal interaction with her.
That said, this does give some pause to his commitment status as rumors have circulated concerning the possibility that Isaiah may pursue the overseas option upon graduating. There’s no doubt the staff put forth their best efforts in urging Todd to put pen to paper during the early-signing period in order to avoid this exact situation. That may be telling on its own merit.
This is definitely a situation to monitor, and one where the staff must be prepared for all possible outcomes.
Perimeter Shift
When Nimari Burnett gave his word to Texas Tech, the staff quickly pivoted to top-50 guard Adam Miller. Despite setting an announcement date of November 21st among a final 3 of Illinois, Arizona and Louisville the day before Michigan offered, Miller tweeted that he would be visiting Michigan this weekend before deleting the same. Sam Webb says the visit is still a possibility this weekend, but not confirmed at this point.
Illinois is thought to be the favorite here if a commitment comes to fruition on Thursday. That said, a commitment made after the early-signing period has the feel of a recruitment that may be far from over. There are some Juwan Howard connections here. Miller is from the Chicago-area and played with Mac Irvin on the AAU circuit, the same Nike-sponsored club his son Jace suits up for during the Summer.
There are simply too many variables here to have a strong feel for how things are going to play out.
As mentioned last week, 2020 CA guard Josh Christopher will take his official visit to Michigan this weekend. While Houston-Baptist isn’t a marquee game, it does provide the staff the opportunity to give undivided attention to Christopher with the game not likely to be very competitive.
Happy Trails
As mentioned above, five-star guard Nimari Burnett committed to Texas Tech.
November 19th, 2019 at 5:25 PM ^
Lots of time to find other backcourt prospects. Coaching carousel will come around in the spring, grad transfers and late bloomers.
Hope Dickinson decides soon. Wonder what he is waiting for. Either way, Juwan has showed his chops by getting involved with so many quality prospects even though he was hired late.
November 19th, 2019 at 6:01 PM ^
The post literally says Dickinson is torn and doesn't know what to do. That's what he is waiting for.
November 19th, 2019 at 7:36 PM ^
Yes, he's "in" on lots of top recruits, but let's hope he doesn't fall victim to Beilein Syndrome -- second choice of virtually all of them.
November 19th, 2019 at 9:49 PM ^
Howard is hip... And young. Players want to play for him. Won't be any syndrome.
November 20th, 2019 at 6:03 PM ^
Except that most of them also want to be paid and we're still not doing that.
November 19th, 2019 at 5:34 PM ^
I think Dickinson is a key recruit if he commits here. With Todd and Zeb, that would be an impressive trio that could lure another 1 or 2 top players. Also, we definitely need the next Jon Teske in the fold. Let's cross our fingers.
November 19th, 2019 at 7:52 PM ^
They could also add some graduate student transfers, which would compliment Todd, Dickinson, Zeb (and potentially Jace) really well. One way or another, I'd be VERY happy if we ended up with just those 3-4 guys.
November 19th, 2019 at 5:49 PM ^
That was a less than encouraging update but a good one nonetheless
November 19th, 2019 at 6:17 PM ^
I’m beginning to think there is 0% chance Todd is on the roster next fall.
November 19th, 2019 at 6:45 PM ^
Eh, I'm not quite that pessimistic yet. Todd's mother told also told Sam Webb that he would be signing with Michigan in the spring and I trust her word. I feel like if his commitment was wavering at this point, she would give a more foggy answer than that
November 19th, 2019 at 9:01 PM ^
Todd has shown no interest in other schools.
Overseas was also an option and has nothing to do with having signed a LOI.
Not signing early protects him from something unforeseen happening at Michigan. Juwan is a new coach. Makes sense to see how he does before locking yourself in. It's not as is Todd gets any benefit from signing early, only some risk.
That doesn't add up to 0% chance he sticks with his commitment to me.
November 19th, 2019 at 9:51 PM ^
There’s no doubt the staff put forth their best efforts in urging Todd to put pen to paper during the early-signing period in order to avoid this exact situation.
I don’t understand this from Matt because of your point about the LOI. Successfully getting him to sign it doesn’t preclude him from going overseas.
I don’t know if he’s concerned about some unforeseen issue though. Maybe he just didn’t want to give a strong indication of commitment when he’s seriously considering another option.
I am not counting him out but I am concerned.
November 19th, 2019 at 9:54 PM ^
I think a lot of peoples expectations for Howard's recruiting appeal, including mine, were way off base. I think based on him being a Fab 5 member and NBA star, we just assumed a lot of kids were gonna come running to sign on the dotted line. Thats some of where the cliff jumping comes from. I've readjusted mine the last month or so because I realized its unrealistic and hoops recruiting has a lot of dynamics to it. The only small issue I can take so far and its nitpicking to an extent, is that I feel they've offered too few of players trying to land the big fish.
November 19th, 2019 at 6:30 PM ^
So the tea leaves sound like no Todd and no Dickinson. Sure is fun around here on the recruiting trail. Basketball is following in the footsteps of football. Recruit prospects against the actual blue bloods, get none of them, notice glaring holes on the roster.
November 19th, 2019 at 6:33 PM ^
jeez why don't you rain on the parade a little harder
November 19th, 2019 at 6:49 PM ^
Troll
November 19th, 2019 at 6:49 PM ^
are you reading actual tea leaves, because otherwise you're being pretty dramatic.
November 19th, 2019 at 7:03 PM ^
Not very encouraging. Seems like they should start recruiting more prospects 2,3, and probably 4 as Todd will probably end up overseas or another program. Hopefully Dickinson commits and signs here shortly or I’d add 5’s to that list as well. Lots of needs and few prospects on the board currently to fill them. Thank god for Zeb
November 19th, 2019 at 7:11 PM ^
"I'm told the girlfriend may not be a huge factor here."
Ouch.
November 19th, 2019 at 11:59 PM ^
No one tell her that yet please
November 20th, 2019 at 2:31 PM ^
We need a booster to pay for relationship coaching. High school relationships can be a bit dramatic, and signing day is kind of far away!
/s but not really /s
November 19th, 2019 at 9:42 PM ^
Here is my feelings on Dickinson from everything I've read and then this update. Notre Dame has been recruiting him since at least 9th grade if not earlier. He also plays at a Catholic school. I think hes enamored with Juwan but is torn. I believe it's definitely between Michigan and Notre Dame. The longer it goes, the less optimistic I will be just because that tends to lead you back to the one you are most familiar with and that comfort zone. Just my .02 worth.
November 20th, 2019 at 11:54 AM ^
If you're trying to get to the NBA though, why on earth would you go to Notre Dame when you can play at Michigan who has a history of developing big men and just got one of the most respected big men in history as new coach? Then you can also look at Teske now and think about how Dickinson is way more refined as a freshman than Teske was. It just doesn't even make sense to consider Notre Dame
November 20th, 2019 at 6:56 AM ^
Is anyone else getting an annoying ad at the bottom of the screen lately?
November 20th, 2019 at 11:06 AM ^
Even if it is 'just Zeb' and a couple 3 stars, we should be fine for next year, unless Wagner is a one and done AND Livers goes pro. In that event you would be counting on lots of development from Castleton, Johns, and Nunez.
Castleton, Johns, (Wagner, Livers, or Nunez) DeJulius, Brooks is a pretty good line-up, plus Zeb, Bajema and whomever. Then the next class would probably be loaded...
November 20th, 2019 at 11:19 AM ^
Fine as in bubble team? They need help next year in the back court and wings. If this team has the year we all hope it does Livers will probably be off to the NBA. 2021 will have to be a large class with 2-3 guys that play at a really high level from the start.
November 20th, 2019 at 11:19 AM ^
Fine as in bubble team? They need help next year in the back court and wings. If this team has the year we all hope it does Livers will probably be off to the NBA. 2021 will have to be a large class with 2-3 guys that play at a really high level from the start.
November 20th, 2019 at 11:25 AM ^
Once they go overseas they are never heard from again..that would be a HUGE mistake
November 20th, 2019 at 11:38 AM ^
I really wish Dickinson would hurry up and commit so I can move on with my life.
#ineedalife
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